Click on my name to see my trip report on Portugal. I spent 2 weeks in the central part, including Lisbon.

There are other trip Portugal trip reports on this board - you can search for them.

instead of looking, here it the link to adrienne's TR

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/my-low-budget-trip-to-portugal.cfm

You might want to take a look at my trip report; click on my name to find it.

True what you write! Not so many talk or write about the West Coast of the Algarve. Most go to the sothern beaches, full with tourists.
Flying into Faro and having a rental car is giving you many choices and freedom of being able to go where you want.
Close to Faro is a town called Tavira, def. worth looking at and staying a night to see the beach. Then make your way west. I am going to promote Aljezur and its beaches, the stunning coast line all the way, its great food and nature. After all, this town is situated at the Costa Vincentina National Park.
The beaches are for sunbathing, surfing and walking, there are several paths to hike (Rota Vincentina) and many very nice country/rural houses to stay at. (Aljezur has not many hotels, which shows it is not that touristy!)
From Aljezur, taking the N120 towards Lisbon lets you pass some more beautiful beaches and a great scenery.
With a car you are able to go to all the beaches, most of them are not connected by public transport. (And if you like to stay at a rural kind of accommodation, you will need on transport to get around) Google accommodation-moledos which is out side Rogil, to get an idea of the rural thing, and/or check Amazigh Hostel Aljezur, they have all sorts of accommodation, its called a hostel but has different things, and their website has some great images of the area. Most of all, look into the Costa Vincentina informations on the web.
I am living here since 2 years, after traveling for years working all over the world, and I don´t think I will ever leave this beautiful place. Have a great time.
If you like more info, let me know.